Val Smith played her 500th match today at the World Bowls Championships in Christchurch ©BowlsNZ/Facebook

New Zealand's Val Smith played the 500th match of her career today at the World Bowls Championships in Christchurch, but it was a day to forget for the experienced bowler as the Kiwi women's triples team lost all three of their games.

South Africa denied Smith a win in her celebratory match as her team, also consisting of Katelyn Inch and Kirsten Edwards, lost 16-15 on home soil at Fendalton.

Smith became just the third New Zealand bowler in history to reach 500 matches, following on from Jo Edwards, who achieved the same record in the singles last week, and Rowan Brassey. 

It was a tough day for the team led by Smith as their record fell to three wins and three defeats.

They opened with a 17-12 loss to Malaysia in their first match of the day, having gone unbeaten on day one of the competition yesterday.

England's unbeaten team of skip Wendy King, Jamie-Lea Winch and Rebecca Wigfield also defeated the hosts 13-11.

The English team went on to make it six wins from six games after they also beat South Africa and Namibia today.

In the women's pairs event, New Zealand's Edwards and Angela Boyd maintained their unbeaten start at Bowls Papanui.

The duo overcame The Netherlands 17-15 and then followed that with a 21-13 win over Singapore.

They also secured victory in their opening match of the day against Canada, 22-12.

Welsh duo Laura Daniels and Jess Sims and Scotland's pairing of Lauren Baillie and Lesley Doig are also looking comfortable in the women's pairs with both partnerships yet to lose in their six matches so far.

Val Smith (centre), Katelyn Inch (left) and Kirsten Edwards (right) lost all three of their matches today ©BowlsNZ/Facebook
Val Smith (centre), Katelyn Inch (left) and Kirsten Edwards (right) lost all three of their matches today ©BowlsNZ/Facebook

After going unbeaten on day one, New Zealand's Shannon McIlroy suffered a surprise loss to Norfolk Island's Ryan Dixon, 21-14, in the men's singles at Fendalton.

McIlroy bounced back in emphatic style though in his last match of the day, thumping South African Gerry Baker 21-1.

He also enjoyed a 21-12 win over England's Jamie Walker.

Welshman Jonathan Tomlinson is the lone men's singles player yet to taste defeat from six matches.

New Zealand's men's fours team of skip Ali Forsyth, Mike Nagy, Mike Kernaghan and Blake Signal were too strong for their Hong Kong counterparts, winning 20-8 at Bowls Papanui.

They maintained their 100 per cent record, crushing the United States 45-4 in a one-sided display and also prevailing against Brunei 29-8.

New Zealand sit top of their section in the men's fours with Australia, England and Ireland all yet to lose in the other group played at Burnside Bowls Club.

The top three from each group will qualify for post-section play after the nine-match round robin ends tomorrow.